Improved step md extension-ladder



H. W. GOVERT, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

Laws Parent No. @measured 06am 1, 18er.

IMPROVED STEP AND EXTENSION-LADDER.

dige Schwule referat tu tu that @titers tant nnb linking part uf tigesmite.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAYCONCERN:

Be it known that I, H. W. COYERT, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe,and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Combined Step and Extension-Ladders; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full and exact description thereof,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of thisspecication.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ladder arranged as a step-ladder.

Figure 2 a similar view of the ladder arranged as an extension-ladder.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.v

My invention consists in so constructing a ladder that when used as astep-ladder it has both rear and lateral braces for sustaining it iuplace, but when used as an extension-ladder, said braces all fold ineornpactly to the sides of the sections, seas t0 be entirely out of theway, and leave the bottom of the ladder as unencumbered as if there wereno such attachments, the object being to provide a combined step andextension device in which, Vin each separate use, the arrangement shallapproximate as nearly as possible to the ordinary device for thatindividual use.

As represented in the dra\vings,-A is the primary or bottom section,that forms the step-ladder proper, and B the sliding section or sectionsthat extend. In order to make these sections Itcompactly one within theother, when folded, the primary section is provided with a rebate, a, oneach side, as shown most'lclearly in iig. 2, which the other just`fills, and where it is held by guides b b. The topmostround c of theprimary section, is provided with hooks d d, which hook under any one ofthe 4rounds c c o't' the extension section as itis raised(g. 2.) Whenthe sections are together, or when only partly extended, the respectiverounds c c stand in a horizontal or nearly horizontal line, relatively,so as to form a broad support for the foot like a step. To the rear ofthe primary section are hinged atf braces C C, which open backwardly,and to the sides of the same section ,are similarly attached braces D D,which open laterally. The braces C are held expanded by hooks gg, whichhook into eyes 7L 7L of the section, as shown. If desired, the lateralbraces may also be provided with similar hooks. These braces areextended only when the ladder is employed as a step-ladder, as infig. 1. When the ladder is employed as an extension-ladder, the bracesare turned in against the section, and lashed or otherwise fastenedthereto, as in tig. 2.

Combined step and extension-ladders have before been known. l lay noclaim to suchY broadly; I claim only the special features herepresented. A special feature in this case is the combining of both therear and the lateral braces C D with the ladder, in such a manner thatwhen used as a step-ladder, lateral as well as longitudinal bracingsupport is attained, at the same^time so hinging said braces thattheyfold up close to the section when the ladder is used as anextension-ladder, thereby being as much out of the way as if the ladderwere without them, presenting a straight length which is easily handled.In step-ladders much difficulty has been experienced from the want oflateral support, which in this case is remedied without at all impedingthe action as an extension-ladder. 'At the same time that I obtain theseadvantages, Athe construction is such that when used either as a step orextension-ladder, the device in either condition corresponds as nearlyaspossible with the ordinary device used for that individual purpose,being of the simplest form. When used as a stepladder the parts are socompact and in such form as to have no resemblance to anextension-ladder, and when used as an extension-ladder it is encumberedwith noappurtenances of a. step-ladder. l

By the employment of the lateral aswell as rear braces, it will be seenthat the bottom of the step-ladderis so braced that the sliding sectionmay be extended to a suitable degree to'serve as an addition to thestepladder with safety, which is of much advantage, especially ingathering fruit. The rebate a enables the sections to slide closelytogether without projecting, as in other similar ladders, which is ofmuch importance in stepladders, where the parts all want to tit closelyand Afirmly together. A

I am aware that combined step and extension-ladders ha'vebefore beenknown. I am also aware that lateral braces have before been used alonewith an extension-ladder; such I do not claim. But I am not aware thatboth lateral a-nd rear braces have been before combined with a step andextension ladder so as to be extended when used as a step-ladder, andfolded when used as an extension-ladder. Therefore what I claim'asmy'invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent as a new article ofmanufacture, is-

The combined step and extension-ladder A B, having combined and arrangedtherewith both lateral and rear braces D C, in such a. manner as toexpand and brace when used as a step-ladder, but fold compactly whenused as an extension-ladder, as herein set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in thepresence of twosubscribing witnesses.

H. W. COVERT.

Witnesses:

R. F. Oscoop, J. A. DAvIs.

